Agriculture
A key focus
Some West African countries have unconsciously neglected their northern areas that are predominantly semi-arid and poorer than the general indigenous populations. The lack of access to water for drinking and irrigation is a common concern. According to a World Commission on Environment and Development statistics, more than one-third of Africa is at present under the threat of desertification. These changes coupled with periodic droughts, livestock over-grazing are but a part of the problem. It is the mismanagement of the land itself that is causing desertification online.
Semi-Arid Regions and Rainfall
Harmattan & Rainy Season
The only thing common to all the semi-arid regions is low rainfall. Everything else varies so much that it is not practical to search for universal solutions. They may have temperate or tropical climates, rain in summer or winter, and different forms of agriculture. Even when the climate is similar, other significant differences call for innovative technologies tailored to regions in West Africa. The primary features of the environment in semi-arid Africa; a short rainy season, intensive rainfall interspersed with unpredictable droughts, and highly variable rainfall during the wet season. However, the duration of the rainy season is longer, and the curve of potential evapotranspiration is bimodal (dry & rainy seasons) in West Africa. The only two features which adversely affect agriculture are the low amounts of rainfall and its unreliability. These linked problems in that the variability becomes more significant as the mean rain decreases. The low quantities of rain lead to several constraints. Cropping may not be possible at all or likely only with special techniques such as fallows or furrows to collect more rain. The range of suitable species will be limited, and in the semi-arid tropics with summer rainfall, it is usual to grow maize where the rainfall permits, then sorghum where the rain is not sufficient for maize, and millet where the rain is not enough for sorghum. Farmers must strategize and direct towards minimizing the loss or wastage of rainfall.
The Dry Season
During the dry season, agricultural operation is near impossible without irrigation. Farmers move to cities, creating population density and poverty. The dry season is one of two seasons in semi-arid Africa. The dry season is characterized by low humidity, lack of water and depletion of subsistence crops between November to April yearly.
The Rainy-Wet Season
The rainy-wet season occurs during summer, where precipitation takes place. During this season, air quality improves, freshwater quality improves, and vegetation grows substantially. Rivers overflow their banks and drain into lakes within the white Volta river networks. Thus, leading to crop yields late in the season.